"From almost every point of view, economically and militarily, in absolute and in relative terms, the USSR under Brezhnev was much more powerful than it had been under Stalin."(1) Under Brezhnev, the foreign policy rotated around the concept that the "correlation of forces was moving in favor of socialism."(2) Brezhnev believed that eventually, the capitalist West would experience revolution and would turn towards their socialist brothers for support. Time was not an issue with Brezhnev. If he could maintain a supposed belligerent foe and keep socialism firmly in place at home, he would have no problems contrary to Marxism-Leninism. Maintaining his strength, the West would not be able to outmuscle the Soviet Union powerwise and would be forced to deal with the Soviet Union in negotiations directed chiefly by the Soviets. Therefore, Soviet military strength obviously ranked as a top priority for Brezhnev. .
American foreign policy decision makers were at the time operating under the understanding that the Soviet Union was gaining power. Evidence of this could be found within the Soviet Union in military development, and abroad through the development of the Soviet satellite nations. Beginning with the Richard Nixon administration, a policy of containment towards the Soviets and the curbing of Soviet strength and growth became top priority. The United States wanted to lock the Soviet Union in its position and influence over others and stop its growth. However, by the time Carter took office, critics claimed that policy was pointless and not beneficial for American interests. The policy overall had not worked. The Soviet Union had continued to grow more and more influential. They felt Brezhnev had to be stopped before his gradual spreading of socialism went any further. This attitude in America served to heighten American concerns over Soviet influence abroad and increased paranoia in the United States.
